5160-S.E AMH MACE H2666.2
ESSB 5160 - H AMD 497
By Representative MacEwen
WITHDRAWN 04/27/2019
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 84.36 RCW to read as follows:
(1)(a) Beginning with taxes levied for collection in the calendar year following a claimant's sixty-fifth birthday, and subject to the conditions in this section, a portion of the assessed value of a claimant's residence as identified in (b) of this subsection is taxed at the lesser rate of:
(i) The combined levy rate under RCW 84.52.065 (1) and (2) of whatever year in which the claimant turns sixty-five; or
(ii) The combined levy rate under RCW 84.52.065 (1) and (2) of the current assessment year.
(b) The portion of the residence to be taxed at the rate under (a) of this subsection is the first two hundred fifty thousand dollars of assessed value.
(c) If the total assessed value of the residence is two hundred fifty thousand dollars or less, the preferential rate established in (a) of this subsection applies to the entire value.
(2) The preferential rate provided in this section is in addition to the exemption provided in RCW 84.36.379 through 84.36.389.
(3) The preferential rate provided in this section applies only to the state property taxes levied under RCW 84.52.065 (1) and (2) and not to any local property taxes.
(4) The following conditions apply to the claimants of the preferential rate provided in this section:
(a) The residence must be occupied by the claimant as his or her primary place of residence as of the date of tax assessment;
(b) A claimant may not receive the benefit provided in this section on more than one residence per year; and
(c) The claimant must be a resident of the state of Washington as determined by the department.
(5) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Claimant" means:
(i) An individual who is at least sixty-five years old in the previous year and is eligible for the preferential rate paid on their residence under this section; or
(ii) A veteran of the armed forces of the United States entitled to and receiving compensation from the United States department of veterans affairs at:
(A) A combined service-connected evaluation rating of eighty percent or higher; or
(B) A total disability rating for a service-connected disability without regard to evaluation percent.
(b) "Residence" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 84.36.383.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. The provisions of RCW 82.32.805 and 82.32.808 do not apply to this act.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. This act applies to taxes levied for collection in 2022 and thereafter."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: (1) Eliminates all changes to the senior and disabled veterans property tax exemption program.
(2) Establishes a preferential property tax rate for qualifying senior citizens and disabled veterans.
(3) For qualifying senior citizens individual, the first $250,000 of a residence's value is taxed at the lesser of: The combined levy rate for part 1 and part 2 of whatever year the claimant turns 65 or the combined levy rate for part 1 and part 2 of the current assessment year.
(4) Establishes qualification requirements such that in order to qualify, a person:
(a) Must be at least 65 years old in the previous year or be a veteran disabled at a 80% disability rating;
(b) Must occupy the residence;
(c) Must be a resident of Washington; and
(d) Can only claim the benefit on one residence per year.
(5) The bill is effective for taxes levied for collection in 2022 and thereafter.
(6) Exempts the bill from tax preference performance statement requirements, the 10 year expiration of tax preferences, and JLARC review.
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